British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to reduce immigration levels if his Conservative Party wins next month’s election, positioning the issue as a key battleground in the upcoming vote. He hopes to distinguish his party from the opposition Labour Party, which is currently ahead by more than 20 points in opinion polls and has a reputation for being soft on immigration. But while immigration is high on the list of voters’ concerns, there’s little evidence it harms the economy or that the rapid rise in migrants has caused public services to strain.
As the UK economy picks up speed, net migration levels should decline, which should help ease pressure on public services, according to a new study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). If the government is serious about reducing its reliance on foreign workers, it needs to focus on the quality of migrants rather than their numbers.
Historically, periods of mass migration have not only brought social and cultural diversity, but also significant economic benefits to states and countries that allow it. Many of the world’s most prosperous economies are characterized by a mix of ethnicities and cultures that have derived from their immigration experience. This is a testament to the positive impact of immigration on economic growth and development. Nonetheless, critics of high immigration often argue that it depresses wages and has other negative effects on society.
These concerns have been exacerbated by an ongoing series of scandals and a perception that the government is not doing enough to control immigration. In the past, it was easy for politicians to argue that limiting immigration was a matter of national security and protecting jobs for citizens, but now the argument has lost credibility.
While a policy of holding down immigration levels can impose costs and increase uncertainty for businesses, it’s important to note that there’s no evidence that it has any significant impact on the overall economy or wages. In fact, some sectors – including hospitals and care homes – rely heavily on migrant workers to fill vital roles, further underscoring the positive contribution of immigration to the UK economy.
Instead of simply reducing immigration numbers, the new government should adopt a balanced approach that addresses the public’s concerns and the needs of the economy. This could be achieved by providing more significant support to businesses through a coherent industrial strategy that provides a framework and certainty for immigration rules. This could include reintroducing routes that offer a clear path to permanent residency and establishing more flexible criteria for the entry of highly skilled workers. These measures would go a long way to easing the political heat and creating a more pragmatic and constructive approach to immigration policymaking in the UK.
